It's been a good while since we last were slapped in the face by the Italian madman Sathor, the tortured soul behind ARS MACABRA. This time around he has united himself with two brothers in crime, and has caught pain and distress on this record, the third full length from the band. Sathor has always been heavily influenced by the Scandinavian Black Metal scene, and that has been shining a bit through on some tracks on the first albums. Though it now seems like the cloak of Scandinavia has been shed, and ARS MACABRA has embraced an attack of audio-terror they can call their own by all means. The melodic and freezing feel of Scandinavian Black Metal is still present, though surrounded by chaos and a raw feel, that make my ears bleed. ARS MACABRA has always been good at creating a drawing ambiance and an eerie and disturbing atmosphere, an atmosphere they are taking over the top on this release. The atmosphere is pitchblack, thick and disturbing, a really terrorizing atmosphere, that makes the chaotic and raw Metal, with its melodic tendencies and changes from midpaced to blazingly fast, work perfectly and really draws the listener into the universe that "III" creates around its victims. This album has caught me a bit by surprise as it is quite more aggressive in its expression, and quite brutal the whole way through, without it looses the melodic touch and great atmosphere. An angry fist in the face of dullness, intense and captivating. I hope that this line-up will last a couple of more records, as it works in a manner I like! More info at: www.arsmacabra.com, www.facebook.com/arsmacabra, www.odiumrex.com